Solderless bootleg terminal connecter



Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,826

W. R. BURKE SOLDEYRLESS BOOTLEG TERMINAL CONNECTER Filed Oct. 51, 1927 //v TU R W ma /Q 5' Y Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

WILLIAM R. BURKE, OF UTICA,

I a H c NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB-TO SIGNAL ACCESSORIES COR- PORATION, 0F U'I'ICA, NEW YORK, A CORE'OR-ATION OF NEW YORK.

SOLDERLESS BOOTLEG TERMINAL CONNECTER.

Application filed October 31, 1927. Serial No. 230,025;

This invention relates to a so-lderles's bootleg terminal connecter for electric conductors adapted to be used moreparticularly in connection with the installation and operation of electric railway signals and other instruments having electrical connection with a track rail or analogous conductor for securing and maintaining a more perfect and permanent electric connection between the wire cable and rail. M

The main object is to provide a terminal connecter of this character by which a solid or stranded wire cable may be easily and expeditiously connected to a railway rail or analogous conductor to form a more perfect and permanent electric connection therewith without the use of solder or other fusible material and at the same time to reduce to a minimum the liability of loosening of the connection by the vibrations of the rails incidental to the movement of the rolling stock along and upon the rails.

One of the Specific objects isto seat the terminal end of the conducting wire in a lengthwise groove in the periphery of a tapered pin and then to insert the tapered pin with the terminal end of the wire in the groove into a tapered socket of the connecter. so that the wire will be wedged between the tapered pin and adjacent wall of the socket, andthe walls of the socket expanded against the Walls of the opening in the rail as the tapered pin is driven into the socket, thereby securing a more perfect electric contact, between the tubular head and rail and also between a wire terminal and tubular head.

One of the specific objects is to provide the tubular head with a lateral elongated shank or tang having opposed terminal jaws bendable towards each other for firmly grippingthe periphery of the insulated portion of the wire to relieve the strain upon the joint between the wire and the tubular head resulting from the vibrations of the rail.

Other specific objects and uses relating to any specific parts of the device will out in the following description:

In the drawing i I Figure 1, is a side elevation of a railway rail and electric conductor showing my improved terminal connecter in operative position for connecting the wire conductor or cable to the rail.

Figure 2, is an enlarged longitudinal secbe brought.

Flg. 1. t

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of a connecter taken on line33, Figure 1. Figures and 5, are perspective views of the detached parts of the coupling or connecter. f In order that-one adaptation of my invention may a railway rail -A,- 'as provided with a cylindrical bore'or opening -a through the Web thereof, receiving a cylindrical tubular head 1'- of my improved coupler or ter minal connecter. j j r The head 1 is provided with alaterally elongated'radial extension 2 of suitable metal having opposed bendable jaws 3 some distance fromthe tubularhead +1 and normally open to form a'lengthwise t-ional view taken in the plane line 2-2,

grove 4- which issubstantially radial-to be clearly understood Ihave shown 1' I one side thereof while the jaws f3 pro-. I

j ect from the opposite edges of the shank or tang "-2- to the opposite side thereof so that when the tubular head is'insorted in theolening a' in the rail the op-., posite side of the" groove 4 and jaws -3', will face out wardly. I

The periphery of the tubular head 1 is made cylindrical to correspond tothe diameter of the opening ,a in the rail so to fit snugly in said opening when inserted. therein. i

The central opening as5' in the tubu: lar head o1'-is tapered from the proximal end of the side of the head adjacent the shank 2 toward the distal end of the heachfor {eceiving asimilarly tapered pin or wedge;- :ey ing 5 serves to slightly expand the distal endof the tubular head l against the walls of the opening 0 in the r'ail, for firmly holdingthe tubular head inoperative engagement with the rail and time forminga closeelectrical contact therewith.

The-tapered pin or wedge 6 is provided with a lengthwise groove 7' in it's'periphcry extending from end to end thereof for receiving the terminal lenders 8-' of an electric conductor or wire 9-shownmore ofthe other end 6 which when driven into the open- I at the same clearly in Figure 2. This electric conductor 9 may be of the solid wire or stranded wire type and aside from the terminal end -8- is preferably covered with suitable insulation 10- adapted to extend along and upon the outer face of the shank or tang 2- and through the groove -4l between the jaws -3. I

The radial depth of the groove in the periphery of the tapered key 6- is somewhat less than the diameter of the terminal end -8 of the conductor -9 to permit contact of side terminal end -8- with the ad jacent wall of the tapered opening 5.

The base or bottom of the groove 7 i disposed at an angle to the axis of the tapered key -6- and substantially parallel with the outer lengthwise edges of the walls of the groove -7+ so that the portion of the tavpered key -6- opposite the open side of the groove -7'- will be alsotapered from its proximal end toward its distal end, for exerting a wedging action against the terminal end 8- of the conductor '9-,to force said conductor firmly against the opposite wall of the tubular head when the tapered key 6- is driven into 5--.

When the terminal -8- of the conductor 9- and tapered key 6 are assembled in the socket -5 of the tubular head 1- and the latter is inserted into the opening -A- a substanwill be estabs 8- of the -a in the web of the rail tially perfect electric contact lished between the terminal end conductor and tubular head between the tubular head and rail -A--, it being understood that the tapered key 6 also forms a. substantially perfect electric connection withthe terminal -8- and the tubular head -1-.

The insulated portion of the conductor -9-extends along the outer surface of the tang 2- forconnection with electric signals or other electric appliance commonly used in connection with railways and after it 1 is properly seated between the jaws -3- the latter are bent towards each other and against the periphery of the insulation 5-10 as shown in Figure 3, to grip and firmly hold the conductor -9 against tively to the shank or tang 2.

Operation.

The cylindrical at one side of the tang 2- is first inserted in the cylindrical opening ain the web of the rail -A after which the'terminal end 8-- of the conductor --9- is inserted in the socket 5- and then the tapered key -6 is placed in operative position within the socket 5- with its groove registering wit-h the terminal end 8 following which the tapered key 6- is driven tightly in place by application of suitable force to its proxithe tapered socket I 1 and also.

movement relaportion of the head 1 mal or large end, thereby firmly establishing a close electrical connection'between the tapered pin -6 and terminal end -8-, and also between the tapered pin -6- and the tubular head 1, and at the same time slightly expanding the tubular portion or the head against the wall of the opening a in the web of the rail to further perfeet the electric connection between said head and rail.

.The conductor -9 with the insulation l0- is then extended along and against the outer face of the tang -2 and firmly clamped in place by the inward bending of the free edges of the aws 3- against the periphery of the insulation 10.

When the conductor A- and 9' are firmly connected in the manner described,

the distal ends of'the key -6- and wire terminal -8-' may be severed and finished ofl substantially flush with the adjacent face groove for receiving a portion of the second named conductor and wedging the same against the adjacent wall of thetubular head.

2. The combination with the web of a railway rail having a cylindrical opening there through, a cylindrical head fitted in the opening and provided with a central lengthwise opening tapered from its proximal end toward its distal end, a. tapered pin inserted into the opening in the head, and provided witha lengthwise groove inits peripheryifor receiving a portion of an electric conducting cable and a tang secured laterally from the proximal end of the head and provided with bendable jaws for gripping the periphery of said cable.

3. A terminal connecter for electric conductors comprising a tubular'head adapted to be inserted in an opening in one conductor, and'a tapered pininserted into the tubular head and having a lengthwise groove in its periphery for receiving a. portion of another conductor, said groove being of less radial depth than the thickness of the conductor to cause the adjacent portion of the latter to impinge against the adjacent wall of the opening in the head as the pin is driven into said opening, said head being provided with a radially projecting tang having opposed bendable jaws for gripping the periphery of the second-named conductor. v

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of October, 1927. p

a 7 WILLIAM R. BURKE.-

to and proj ecting 

